Nearly two of every three Albertans support the province’s incoming Care-First auto insurance reforms when told the changes are expected to lower premiums, reduce legal costs and improve benefits for people injured in collisions.
According to a Yorkville Strategies survey commissioned by the Insurance Bureau of Canada, 62% of Albertans support the new model, which is scheduled to take effect January 1, 2027.
The price promise appears to be the biggest selling point. When asked about the most important feature of the new system, 51% of respondents cited lower auto insurance prices. Another 21% cited improved benefits and care for people injured in collisions.
The Care-First model will move Alberta toward a privately delivered, no-fault-style auto insurance system. Under that model, people injured in collisions will receive access to benefits through their own insurer, regardless of who caused the crash.
The system is designed to deliver faster medical treatment and income support to people injured in collisions, while simplifying the claims process and limiting legal costs. Under the current model, Albertans can sue at-fault drivers for pain and suffering, loss of income and other damages. Because claims can require court involvement, cases can take years to resolve.
Yorkville Strategies conducted the live telephone survey of 850 Alberta adults in May 2026. The survey has a margin of error of ±3.5%.
“At a time when the cost of everything is going up, the cost of auto insurance is going to go down with the introduction of Care-First next year,” said Aaron Sutherland, vice-president for the Pacific and Western region at the Insurance Bureau of Canada. “This is a welcome change for Alberta drivers who, on average, will save hundreds of dollars annually, while receiving the best care and benefits in the country if they are injured in a collision.”
But many drivers still do not know the change is coming. About one-third of respondents said they were aware the Care-First model is set to come into effect in January 2027.
Alongside the survey, the Insurance Bureau of Canada also launched a consumer awareness campaign in June. The campaign includes information on affordability, benefits and the fact that drivers do not need to take any action before the changes come into effect.
The survey also points to support for a major legal shift. A majority — 57% — of respondents supported reducing the ability to sue in exchange for savings and improved benefits under Care-First. Another 13% said they wanted the right to sue maintained at the same level as in the current auto insurance system.
The reforms have split Alberta’s legislature along party lines. UCP MLAs passed Bill 47, the Automobile Insurance Act, at third reading in May 2025, while NDP MLAs voted against it. The bill received royal assent on May 15, 2025.
The provincial government says Care-First will lower premiums, improve benefits and move injury claims away from lengthy court disputes. Finance Minister Nate Horner has also promoted an adjusted 5% rate cap tied to the new system, which is scheduled to begin January 1, 2027.
Opposition MLAs and legal-sector critics have framed the reforms differently. Critics describe Care-First as a privately delivered no-fault-style model that reduces Albertans’ ability to sue after a collision. Legal-sector critics have also raised concerns about insurer control over care decisions and the tribunal process.
Supporters argue the shift will reduce legal costs and put more money toward care. Critics argue it limits access to the courts.
“This survey confirms that Albertans believe the government has struck the right balance in designing its new auto insurance system,” said Sutherland. “Legal cost pressures currently account for 20% of premiums drivers’ pay. The new system will deliver lasting premium stability for drivers by removing most of these escalating costs and putting a greater focus on care over court for those injured in collisions.”
For collision repairers, the direct impact is likely to be more limited than for injury claims. Under no-fault-style systems, repairers typically deal with the driver’s own insurance provider, rather than waiting for fault disputes to move through the system.
The IBC will continue to urge the Alberta government to reduce red tape and attract more competition to the province’s auto insurance market. Among respondents, 81% said the government should do more to attract insurance companies and competition back to the market.
According to the release, four years of rate caps have reduced choice and availability for drivers in Alberta.
Yorkville Strategies conducted the live telephone survey of 850 Alberta adults in May 2026. The survey has a margin of error of ±3.5%.
“At a time when the cost of everything is going up, the cost of auto insurance is going to go down with the introduction of Care-First next year,” said Aaron Sutherland, vice-president for the Pacific and Western region at the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
“This is a welcome change for Alberta drivers who, on average, will save hundreds of dollars annually, while receiving the best care and benefits in the country if they are injured in a collision.”
But many drivers still do not know the change is coming. One-third of respondents said they were aware the Care-First model is set to come into effect in January 2027.
Alongside the survey, the Insurance Bureau of Canada also launched a consumer awareness campaign in June. The campaign includes information on affordability, benefits and the fact that drivers do not need to take any action before the changes come into effect.
The survey also points to support for a major legal shift. A majority -- 57% -- of respondents supported reducing the ability to sue in exchange for savings and improved benefits under Care-First. Thirteen percent said they wanted the right to sue maintained at the same level as in the current auto insurance system.
The reforms have split Alberta’s legislature along party lines. UCP MLAs passed Bill 47, the Automobile Insurance Act, at third reading in May 2025, while NDP MLAs voted against it. The bill received royal assent on May 15, 2025.
The provincial government says Care-First will lower premiums, improve benefits and move injury claims away from lengthy court disputes. Finance Minister Nate Horner has also promoted an adjusted five percent rate cap tied to the new system, which is scheduled to begin January 1, 2027.
Opposition MLAs and legal-sector critics have framed the reforms differently. Critics describe Care-First as a privately delivered no-fault-style model that reduces Albertans’ ability to sue after a collision. Legal-sector critics have also raised concerns about insurer control over care decisions and the tribunal process.
Supporters argue the shift will reduce legal costs and put more money toward care. Critics argue it limits access to the courts.
“This survey confirms that Albertans believe the government has struck the right balance in designing its new auto insurance system,” said Sutherland. “Legal cost pressures currently account for 20% of premiums drivers’ pay. The new system will deliver lasting premium stability for drivers by removing most of these escalating costs and putting a greater focus on care over court for those injured in collisions.”
For collision repairers, the direct impact is likely to be more limited than for injury claims. Under no-fault-style systems, repairers typically deal with the driver’s own insurance provider, rather than waiting for fault disputes to move through the system.
The release said the IBC will continue to urge the Alberta government to reduce red tape and attract more competition to the province’s auto insurance market. Among respondents, 81% said the government should do more to attract insurance companies and competition back to the market.
According to the release, four years of rate caps have reduced choice and availability for drivers in Alberta.
